Available on this page are links to the full text of ethics opinions issued by The State Bar of California Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.

These advisory opinions regarding the ethical propriety of hypothetical attorney conduct, although not binding, are often cited in the decisions of the Supreme Court, the State Bar Court Review Department and the Court of Appeal.

The Ethics Hotline, a telephone research service to assist attorneys with questions relating to their ethical responsibilities, is also available to attorneys from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Ethics Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-238-4427 (800-2-ETHICS) within California or 415-538-2150 from outside of California.

In addition, an Ethics Research Guide can be printed out by calling the State Bar Fax Retrieval System. From a fax machine, call 415-538-2583.

These opinions are also published in the California Compendium on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, which is available from the State Bar by calling 415-538-2112.

Recent ethics opinions:

• CAL 2009-178: Inclusion of Civil Code §1542 Waiver in the Settlement of a Fee Dispute with a Client
• CAL 2009-177: Ethical Obligations in Enforcing Charging Liens
• CAL 2009-176: Offers of Settlement Conditioned on Client's Waiver of Statutory Right to Seek Attorney's Fees
• CAL 2008-175: Client Instructions re Prior Attorney's Lien
• CAL 2007-174: Electronic Client Files
• CAL 2007-173: Use of Will Depositories and Registries
• CAL 2007-172: Accepting Credit Card Payments from a Client
• CAL 2006-171: Funds Withdrawn from a Client Trust Account
• CAL 2006-170: Contingency Fee Agreements Containing an Attorney's Charging Lien

To find an ethics opinion, use the search field at the top of the page by entering concepts or keywords.

Available on this page are links to the full text of ethics opinions issued by The State Bar of California Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.

These advisory opinions regarding the ethical propriety of hypothetical attorney conduct, although not binding, are often cited in the decisions of the Supreme Court, the State Bar Court Review Department and the Court of Appeal.

The Ethics Hotline, a telephone research service to assist attorneys with questions relating to their ethical responsibilities, is also available to attorneys from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Ethics Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-238-4427 (800-2-ETHICS) within California or 415-538-2150 from outside of California.

In addition, an Ethics Research Guide can be printed out by calling the State Bar Fax Retrieval System. From a fax machine, call 415-538-2583.

These opinions are also published in the California Compendium on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, which is available from the State Bar by calling 415-538-2112.

Recent ethics opinions:

• CAL 2009-178: Inclusion of Civil Code §1542 Waiver in the Settlement of a Fee Dispute with a Client
• CAL 2009-177: Ethical Obligations in Enforcing Charging Liens
• CAL 2009-176: Offers of Settlement Conditioned on Client's Waiver of Statutory Right to Seek Attorney's Fees
• CAL 2008-175: Client Instructions re Prior Attorney's Lien
• CAL 2007-174: Electronic Client Files
• CAL 2007-173: Use of Will Depositories and Registries
• CAL 2007-172: Accepting Credit Card Payments from a Client
• CAL 2006-171: Funds Withdrawn from a Client Trust Account
• CAL 2006-170: Contingency Fee Agreements Containing an Attorney's Charging Lien

To find an ethics opinion, use the search field at the top of the page by entering concepts or keywords.